Book Description

Saving Sailing makes an eloquent case for the revival of family sailing -- and similar uses of free time for lifelong pastimes that enrich our lives. The issue: participation in sailing is declining in America, down more than 40% since 1997 and 70% since 1979. In this wide-ranging book, researcher and avid sailor Nicholas Hayes explains why. The book shows how pressures on free time have increased, and how, in response, many Americans have turned to less rewarding forms of passive or overly structured activities and away from lifelong, family-based, multi-generational recreation. Saving Sailing builds a case for choosing how to spend free time better, seeking quality experiences with families and friends through lifelong pastimes like sailing. The main challenge, he suggests, is to develop an active system of mentoring, especially between generations. The lessons are broader than sailing, with useful ideas for all parents, for anyone seeking to strengthen the social fabric of American communities, and for those involved in programming for youth and adult activities. Author Nick Hayes is a market researcher and partner at the consulting firm FiveTwelve Group, and is active in the Milwaukee sailing scene. He has studied sailing, sailors, and sailing clubs for years, and interviewed more than 1,200 sailors worldwide since 2003 for this book. He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.